Featured

The desert called so we pulled out the long boats and headed down the Baja way, first loading enough boats to take full advantage of both coasts, then cramming the truck full of every camping comfort it would take, right down to a hand-cranked margarita blender.

Featured

Sean Morley knows a few things about going fast. He honed his forward stroke technique as a flatwater sprint racer on the British junior national team, but has made his biggest mark traveling far and fast in challenging conditions. He’s held speed records for crossing the Irish Sea, circumnavigating Vancouver Island, and paddling 4,500 miles around Great Britain and Ireland, solo.

Featured

Last October I spent five days engulfed in the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains, paddling the lakes of the Saint Regis Canoe Area with a couple good friends. This was our first overnight paddling experience in the area; I came away with a few bits of knowledge to pass on to the next paddlers planning this perfect fall escape.

Featured

The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA), which oversees a 375-mile waterway for small boaters from the New Hampshire border to Canada, just got a shot in the arm from L.L. Bean. The venerable outdoor gear and apparel maker, founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, recently gave MITA and its Wild Islands Campaign a $100,000 grant to support its efforts to protect the trail system. It’s far from the first funds the company has awarded to the association. In 1987, L.L.Bean issued a grant to create the association, in partnership with the Maine Department of Conservation and the Island Institute. It was from this that both MITA and the Maine Island Trail — America’s first recreational water trail, an establishment founded on the notion that visitors could be entrusted with the islands’ care — were born. “For decades, L.L.Bean and the Maine Island Trail Association have shared the common goal of being good stewards of the environment,” says L.L.Bean chairman Shawn Gorman. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that we all have clean, pristine and accessible places to recreate in the outdoors. The Maine Island Trail Association is to be commended for their efforts to make the great outdoors even

Featured

A month into their ambitious nine-month, 5,200-mile route, the six-man Rediscover North America crew highlights the first 27 days paddling up the Atchafalaya River, and crossing over to begin the long slog up the mighty Mississippi.

2011 Boat Book – Feathercraft Folding Kayaks

WISPER XP S or L$4,750 skin on frameL: 15’7”; W: 23.5”; 40 lbs.The new Wisper XP is the evolution of the Wisper. Choice of a large or small cockpit sizes is available. Standard features include gear access hatches, rudder, new pivot braces, and deck reinforcement strips. Fits into one pack-bag.

KAHUNA / BIG KAHUNA$3,500 skin on frameL: 14’9”; W: 25”; 35 lbs.The Kahuna’s accelerate quickly and handle with ease. An upswept bow creates a fine water entry, and they track well without a rudder. Optional hatches simplify loading for multi-day trips. Two sizes of cockpits will fit almost any paddler. With practice, assembly is 20 minutes. Fits into one bag.

KHATSALANO / KHATSALANO-S$5,800/$6,000 skin on frameL: 17’10”; W: 22”/23.5”; 47 lbs., 49 lbs.The graceful lines and low profile are of a traditional skin kayak. Packing for multi-week expeditions is possible with the paddler choosing gear carefully for efficient storage. The snug fitting cockpit allows you to become one with your kayak. Khats-S is standard with the rudder. Packs into one pack bag.

KLONDIKE$6,250 skin on frameL: 17’10”; W: 31”; 76 lbs.This is our “convertible” kayak. The open cockpit design can be configured for one, or two people; a small center seat can be added for a child; or there’s room for your four legged companion instead. Standard with two bags for airline travel.

WISPER$3,960 skin on frameL: 15’7”; W: 23.5”; 37.5 lbsThe upswept bow and stern gives a sense of the traditional Greenland style. It is nimble, with a fast cruising speed, carves turns easily with a lean, and has a solid fit for medium and smaller paddlers. Packs into one pack bag.

GEMINI Sit-on-Top Kayak$3,600 skin on FrameL: 18’; W: 30”; 48 lbs.This is a fast, light-weight and stable double with two comfy, high-backed seats. Both a rudder and skeg are standard features for great tracking and maneuverability. Fits into one bag.

JAVA Sit-on-Top Kayak$2,700; skin on FrameL: 15’4”; W: 28”; 33 lbs.This is an excellent warm weather touring kayak. A drop-skeg is part of the framework and is necessary for tracking. There is ample beam to provide stability. If you’d like to paddle with a friend occasionally, a 2nd seat kit & rudder are options. Packs into one bag.

K-Light$2,970 skin on FrameL: 12’10”; W: 25”; 33 lbs.When first introduced in 1993, the K-Light was the first of its kind – the lightest weight portable kayak. Great for small paddlers on day trips; has the fewest frame parts for easy assembly. Packs into one bag.

K1 Expedition$5,800 skin on FrameL: 16’6”; W: 25”; 51 lbs.Designed for the solo expedition paddler who needs to pack the maximum gear and be ready for challenging conditions. Length to beam ratio is well proportioned. An upswept bow makes for a fine water entry; it is fast, responsive, and very stable. Packs into one pack bag.

K2 EXPEDITION$6,850 skin on FrameL: 20’; W: 33”; 87 lbs.This high-volume, truly expedition-worthy double kayak, has been designed for maximum storage capacity and to handle the harshest of trips. The upswept bow makes for a drier ride. Low-profile cockpit coamings allow use of individual sea socks, and won’t inhibit efficient paddling strokes. Standard with two bags for airline travel.